Thursday night's Copa Libertadores clash between Argentine rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate was called off after an apparent pepper spray attack on the visitors.

The latest edition of the Super Clasico between two of world football's greatest rivals was suspended at half-time, when River players were apparently sprayed from the crowd as they made their way back out for the second period.

"My whole body hurts," River player Leonardo Ponzio said. "They threw, I'm not sure what it was, pepper spray at us. This just can't be."

Ponzio and teammates Leonel Vangioni, Ramiro Funes Mori and Seba Driussi were among those affected, with pictures showing Ponzio repeatedly dousing his face and eyes with a water bottle.

River boss Marcelo Gallardo labelled the incident "deplorable" and "shameful".

Boca president, Daniel Angelici apologised for the incident, but maintained the team should not be punished for the actions of fans.

“We will accept the responsibility that we have but I don’t think the players are responsible,” he said. “We will do all we can to help the police and we hope to find those responsible as soon as possible.”

Taking cover: River Players leave the field following the game's suspension

Exit: After over an hour River keeper Barovero leaves the pitch under shields

(Image: Getty)

Ponzio, Vangioni and teammates Ramiro Funes Mori and Matias Kranevitter were later taken to hospital for treatment on what Argentine radio described as "burns".

Television images showed a fan sliding a hand through the flexible tunnel that shields players as they enter and exit the field. The images suggested he was spraying some kind of irritant.

This was the third match in 12 days between the two Buenos Aires clubs. Boca had won the initial clash, winning 2-0 at La Bombonera, before last week's first leg clash ended 1-0 to Los Millonarios at the Estadio Monumental.